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Audio-Assisted Reading

Audio-assisted reading is an individual or group reading activity where students read along in their books as they hear a fluent reader read the book on an audio recording (audiotape, audio book, or iPod). As confidence and reading skills develop, students read the same passage or text without the assistance of the audio recording.

Differentiated instruction

for second language learners, students of varying reading skill, and for younger learners

Students needing more support can be asked to listen to the tape and read along with it, reading just a little slower so that they are "echoing" the taped reading.

Students who are more skilled readers can try to stay one or two syllables ahead so that the tape is an "echo".

Teachers may wish to have students use the computer to listen to online-audio readings or MP3 readings for this activity.

See the research that supports this strategy

Armbruster,B., Lehr, F., & Osborn, J. (2001). Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read. Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA). http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1fluency.html

Sam-I-Am tirelessly tries to convince the other guy that he'll just adore green eggs and ham. Resistance is futile. However, to the nameless fellow's delight, he discovers that he indeed likes the delicacy and will eat them everywhere! Readers — new and experienced — appreciate the silliness and verve of this rhyming adventure.

A father and his four children share an adventure through fields, over rivers and more. They go — and hastily return with a lumbering bear chasing them! Language lilts and repeats as the adventure unfolds, enhanced by clever illustrations.

Comments

How are you ensuring that student s read along with the tape? If there are limited tape recorders, how do you organize the rotation of students?

When I used this strategy, my struggling readers really enjoyed following along with the tape. I was surprised at first, because these were the kids that tended to goof off at any opportunity! They really enjoyed being sort of in-control of the situation, and able to work at their own pace. Our reading text had an audio recording of each story (CD format), so it was really easy to get going quickly with this strategy. All of my students were familiar with how to work a CD player, so they could easily adjust the controls, or get back to the right recording if they hit a wrong button. (I would put the CD on repeat for that particular track)We started in small groups to get them used to the routine. After a few sessions, they were working with this strategy at a station in the back of the room. I worked with each reader for at least one page of the text to make sure they were still on track. Really, they loved doing this and it really worked well for them. As is the key when introducing anything new, make sure you manage the students well at first, and they are aware of the rules and consequences.

Tumblebooks is a library of online storybooks that read aloud and highlight text for students. It works perfectly for this strategy! Tumblebooks can often be accessed through a library website for free.

Our library has been using Playaways for years. Most of the kids love them, but the struggling readers REALLY love them. The great thing about them is that there are thousands of titles to choose from.

I read out loud to myself. I tape-record my reading of an assigned reading material, and I play it back and listen while following along with eyes through each word, sentence and ultimately the entire length of the assignment. I find that I grasp the key points faster and I can explain it better when required to do so.